Actuating device for lids or covers



I No. 705,26l. Patented July 22, I902,

J. c. LUDOR.

ACTUATINGDEVICE FORLIDS 0R COVERS. Application and Aug. 12, 1901.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES C. LODOR, :OF lYILMIN-GTONQNORTH CAROLINA.

ACTUATING, DEVICE 'FAOYRLIDS 0R COVERS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 705,261, dated July 22, 1902.

Application filed August 12, 1901 Serial No. 71,770. (No model.)

To (LZZ whmn it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES C. LODOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at -Wilmington, in the county of New I-Ianoverand State of North Carolina, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Actuating Devices for Lids or Covers,;of which the followingis a specification. This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in actuating devices for covers or lids. Y I

The invention aims to construct an acftuating device adapted for use in connection with lids or covers of inking-pads, ink-wells, pen-boxes, pen-trays, jewelry-caskets, cigar and match boxes, and the like.

The invention further aims to construct an actuating device for covers ,or lids which shall be extremely simple in its construction, strong, durable, efficient in its operation,

comparatively inexpensive to manufacture;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my im-' proved actuating device, showing the same attached to an inking-pad, also showing in dotted lines the position of the lid or cover when opened. Fig. 2 is a similaryiew of a modified form of actuating device. Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views of the iclaspfofconnecting the actuating device to a'-lid-having a rim, and Fig. 5is a detail View ofthe clasp used in connectionwithafiatrim.

Referring to the drawings by ref erence-n umerals, 1 denotes the base for supporting the frame 2,,the latter being formed of apiece of wire or other suitable material constructed of a pair of vertical"standards'con'nected at their top by a horizontal bar having'its central portion depressed. The lower end of the-vertical standards of the frame 2 is suitably secured to the base 1.

The reference-numeral 3, as shown, indicates an inking-pad which is mounted upon the base 1. The inking-pad is shown simply to illustrate the operation of my improved liftingdevicein connection with the cover or lid. Mounted in the depressed portion of the horizontal bar of the frame is the operatinglever, which consists of two sections, one of which is termed the rear section and extends downwardly in a perpendicular mannerfrom the horizontal bar of the frame. This rear section .is designated by the reference-numeral 5 and has suitably attached to ,i'tsllower endany preferred form of weight 6. The rear section ,5 of the operating-lever is formed of a flat piece of suitable metallic material of the desireiwidth and bent upon itself at its lower end, as at 7, for securing in position theweight 6. The forward section 8 of theoperatingrlever is constructed in a bowed or curvilinearmanner and formed of suitable metallic materiah and is of greater length than the rear section 5. The section 8 of the operating-lever extends forwardly, as shown. The perating-leverfis mounted in movement during the operation of the same. In constructing the operating-lever I prefer to use a single piece of flat metallic material and bend-the-same so as to form the rear and forward'sections. Also, if desirable, the lever may be formed with two different pieces of jmaterialand connected together in'any suitable manner.v The lower end'of the rear section 5 is-sl'otted centrally ther'eof,as at 12, and .receiyes the zupperVendpfamoperating cord, chain,'cable,- orr od ,ha ving an..eye,l4="at each end thereofq The eyeat-the upper end of the operatingcord;ichain,"cable, or rod is'secured :within the'slot12 at'the lowere'nd otthe rear section .5 by nieansof a pin 15, extending therethrough. Bythis arrangement one end .ofthe rod,'chain,- cable, orcord=13js hinged to the rear section5. Oonnected'to the-forward or lower end of the chaip, cord; cabl'efor rod 13 is a clasp 16,const'ructedof flexible material and bent upon itself to form a'loop 17, which is provided-withanotch 18 and lfprther *bent to form an ofiset 20. The eye at the foris secured within the notch or slot 18 by means of a pin 19, extending through the loop 17. This forms a substantially hinge connection.

ward end of the chain, cord, cable, or rod 13' the depressed portion to prevent any lateral The offset 20 of the clasp is adapted to engage the upper face of the lid for forming a brace. The clasp 16 is so constructed that it can be easily detached from and secured to the forward portion of a lid. Fig. 5 shows the clasp attached to a lid provided with a rim, and Fig. 6 a clasp attached to a flat lid.

The operation of the device is as follows: By forcing inwardly in any desirable manner the section 8 of the lever, as shown in dotted lines, a curvilinear rearward movement will be given the section 5, carrying the chain, cord, or cable 13 therewith and elevating the lid 4. This operation is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. When pressure is removed upon the section 8 of the operating-lever, the

weight 6 will cause the rear section to assume its normal position, thereby closing the lid 4. i In the modified form shown in Fig. 2 a chain 21 is employed, connected at one end to a clasp 22, secured in any desirable manner to the lid 4. The rear end of the chain 21 is connected in any desirable manner to the section 5 of the operating-lever. I The reference-numeral 23 denotes a pair of coiled springs which are connected at one end to the standards of the frame and at their opposite end to the section 5, these springs causing the section 5 to assume its normal position when pressure is removed from the section 8 of the operating-lever. The reference numeral 24 denotes a pin extending through the section of the operating-lever for retaining the latter upon the hinged arm of the frame. This pin is used in both forms of the device. In other respects the modified form then, as stated, is the same as that shown in Fig. l. The operation of the modified form shown in Fig. 2 is the same as that hereinbefore referred to in connection with the structure shown in Fig. 1.

By the foregoing construction of actuating device the hinged lids of inking-pads, inkwells, pen-boxes, pen-trays, jewelry-caskets, cigar and match boxes, and the like can be automatically opened, and, furthermore, by the construction of actuating device as hereinhefore set forth lids are provided for such boxes and vessels as do not have hinged lids or covers, such as ink-wells, sugar-bowls, butveneer ter-dishes, and the like, the device being so constructed as to automatically open the lids or covers and to return them to their normal position.

It is thought the many advantages of my improved actuating device for lids or covers can be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and it will also be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing of the other section of said lever and attached to the cover.

2. In an actuating device for lids or covers, a frame formed of a single piece of material and provided with a depressed portion, a lever mounted in said depressed portion, a pin extending through the lever for connecting the same to the frame, a bar, means for hinging the bar to the lever, and means for hinging the barto the cover.

In an actuating device for lids or covers, a frame formed of a single piece of material and provided with a depressed portion, a lever mounted therein and comprising in its construction a weighted rear section, a bar arranged between the cover and lever, means for hinging one end of the bar to the weighted rear section of the lever, and means for hinging the other end of the bar to the cover.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES C. LODOR. Witnesses:

()rcnno T. IIAMES, T. EDWIN BROWN. 

